Ben Affleck ‘puts a halt’ on dating plans as he can’t risk ‘upsetting’ Jennifer Lopez amid divorce

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ben Affleck is feeling constrained amid his high-profile divorce with Jennifer Lopez. 

The estranged couple, who tied the knot in 2022, are now headed toward a divorce after rumors of their split continued to swirl for months. 

Following rumors of separation in May earlier this year, the ‘Jenny From The Block’ songstress finally filed the divorce papers at the Los Angeles County Court on August 20.

However, one of Affleck’s friends spilled that despite the divorce filing, the ‘Argo’ actor is not yet at peace as “he’s being held back from having fun".

Ben Affleck is ‘living in fear’ of Jennifer Lopez

As speculations about Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez floated online, rumors were rife that the ‘Maid in Manhattan’ actress was controlling.

It was reported that Lopez’s alleged controlling nature created a major fracture in the couple’s relationship who reconnected once again during the Covid-19 pandemic after a failed attempt at romance in the early 2000s. 

The insider dished about their divorce to In Touch, “Because there’s no prenup, the divorce, and how smoothly it goes, is going to depend on them playing nice.”

“Which means Ben’s got no choice but to try and be as civilized with Jennifer as possible,” explained the source. 

The insider further lashed out at Jennifer, saying that Affleck is allegedly “living in fear” of the 'The Mother' star, which made him to “deny” dating rumors with Robert F Kennedy’s daughter Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy. 

Moreover, the insider hinted that the ‘Good will Hunting’ star is “putting a halt” on other dating plans as well amid his ongoing divorce. 

“The frustration with that from his point of view is that he’s being held back from having fun and enjoying himself because he can’t risk pissing Jennifer off,” explained the source. 

They continued, “His big complaint in their marriage was how controlling she was, so you can just imagine how upsetting it is for him that she’s essentially still controlling him.”

Noting that Affleck is “basically” at his estranged wife’s “mercy,” the source spilled, “If he doesn’t behave the way she wants, she’ll sink her fangs in and make it all that much more miserable.”

“Which is the last thing he needs, especially with kids involved. He really wants to rip the band-aid off and get out there and start having fun again,” the source continued. 

They hinted that Affleck is allegedly getting several proposals from interested women “but he’s gun shy because he can’t risk upsetting Jennifer.”

“He’s fully aware it’s just playing into her hands, but what choice does he have right now,” added the source before adding that the actor is hoping Jennifer would be willing to complete the procedure “quickly".

Ben Affleck seen enjoying life after highly-publicized separation from Jennifer Lopez

In the months leading to the divorce filing, Ben Affleck was often photographed looking grumpy and without a smile on his face. 

However, following the public split, the actor has often been photographed receiving takeaways and smiling at the paparazzi cameras.

Affleck’s smiling countenance was even compared with Nicole Kidman’s divorce walk from the attorney’s office after she finalized her split from Tom Cruise. 

It has also been noted that Ben Affleck is trying to get into his "best possible shape" amid the divorce.